A turnstile, also known as a baffle gate, is a form of gate that allows one person

to pass at a time. It can restrict passage only to those who insert a ticket, a
pass, or a similar form of authentication or payment. Turnstiles are used in a
variety of settings, including mass transit stations, amusement parks, stadiums,
and secure buildings. Here's a breakdown of how they work:

Basic Mechanism
Physical Structure: A typical turnstile consists of a tripod of arms fixed to a
central rotating shaft, positioned at waist height. When pushed, the arms rotate
around the shaft, allowing one person to pass. More complex turnstiles may have
paddle or full-height revolving doors.

Locking Mechanism: The central shaft has a locking mechanism that prevents the arms
from rotating until a valid signal is received. This signal can come from various
input devices, depending on the turnstile's function and location.

Operation Modes
Manual Operation: In some settings, a guard or attendant controls the turnstile,
unlocking it manually for each allowed person.

Token or Ticket Operation: In transit systems or paid entry locations, the

turnstile unlocks when a valid token, ticket, or fare card is inserted into a slot,
scanned, or tapped on a reader.

Electronic Operation: More sophisticated turnstiles are integrated into electronic

access control systems, where they unlock upon receiving a signal from a card
reader, biometric scanner, or a similar device confirming authorized access.

Advanced Features
Bidirectional Control: Some turnstiles can operate in both directions, allowing
passage into and out of an area. They may have different settings for each
direction (e.g., free passage out but restricted entry).

Tailgating Detection: High-security turnstiles have sensors to detect and prevent

two people from attempting to pass through on a single entry permission, a practice
known as tailgating.

Indicator Lights: Lights or displays indicate the status of the turnstile (locked,
unlocked, or malfunctioning) and guide the user (e.g., red for stop, green for go).

Emergency Override: Turnstiles often have a feature to automatically unlock or free

the arms in case of an emergency, allowing for rapid evacuation.

How It Works
When a person approaches the turnstile and provides the appropriate form of
authorization (a ticket, token, or electronic verification), the locking mechanism
receives a signal to unlock. The person then pushes against the arms, rotating them
to pass through, and the turnstile automatically relocks once the arms have
returned to their starting position, ready for the next person. This process
controls access efficiently, ensuring that only authorized individuals can enter or
exit the controlled area.